Category Archives: Heading to the Game

Can Game-Day Rituals Put the Celtics Over the Top?

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The Celtics have a big game tonight. They’re tied 1-1 with Philly in the 2nd Round of the Playoffs. The team is riddled with injuries. Paul Pierce has a bum knee? Ray Allen has a bum ankle.  As much as I hate to say it, the C’s are starting to show their age.

Moral support is about the best you and I can do for them now. That’s why so many of us who’ll be screaming at the game from our couches have developed little rituals, superstitions that we just know can give the Celtics the edge.

Some folks will not leave their seats. Some insist on “shooting” alongside the TV with every foul shot. Some have rituals that involve dirty t-shirts, and special snacks. Some folks turn off their cell phones. (Who does that?!) Even my 7-yr old has taken to wearing his Paul Pierce T-Shirt and Celtics pajama bottoms for every game.

What about you? Do you have a special voodoo doll to block Philly 3-pointers? Is your spouse allowed to speak? What are you doing to help the team?

 

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Heading to Fenway Tonight? It’s A Big Night for Beckett, In More Ways Than One

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Josh Beckett turns 32 years old today, but he’ll have to earn his birthday wishes from Fenway fans.

Tonight will be his first appearance on the mound since he was vigorously booed off by fans last Thursday. His current record is 2-4, and his ERA is approaching 6.00.

Last week’s performance might have been we hope anyway, when the Red Sox bottomed out. They have one every game since then, rather handily. Things seem like they might just be starting to come together for the Red Sox, and the last thing fans want is a poor performance by an unapologetic, spoiled, over-rated starting pitcher to pull the brakes on this train.

Josh Beckett

Here’s hoping Josh has been gifted with a bit more maturity, humility, and A strong arm for his birthday. He’s going to need it.

On a side note, today is also “Thank’s Wake” Day at Fenway. At 3:30, there will be a ceremony to honor him. Tim Wakefield, the epitome of the team player in good times and bad. Josh, you could learn a lot from him.

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Heading to The Celtics Game Tonight? 3 Things You Should know

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This is a the biggest game of the year so for Celtics Fans! They’ve returned home for Game 6 of a best-of-seven series against the Atlanta Hawk. They lead the series 3-2 and are looking to close it out on their home turf. Here’s hoping that home-court advantage gives them the edge they need.

If you’re heading to Causeway Street tonight, here’s a few of the things folks will buzzing about in the bars around North Station.

1) Paul Pierce has a bum knee, or at least it looks that way. . Like every elite player, if it’s bothering him, he’ll do his best to hide it and play through the pain. Pierce thrives on this on-the-brink level of competition, so fans can be optimistic that he’ll use any discomfort to push himself even further. I’m crossing my fingers that he wins the battle of mind over matter.

2) Atlanta’s All-Star Al Horford is back, and he’s ready to play. Horford returned on Tuesday after being out with an injury since January. It didn’t take him long to dust off the cobwebs, scoring 19 points in the win over the C’s. He hardly looked winded after the game, much less injured. Celtics fans have to be worried about this guy.

3) Rajon Rondo will be fired up. . This hopefully bodes well for his level of play. The risk is that he’ll let his emotions get the best of him. He could mouth off to ref or assault a cameraman, you never know. But if he can channel his emotions into field goals and assists, he could be a key to closing out this series.

There you have it. Armed with these little tidbits, you’ll be able to talk Celtics all-night-long with the guys at the bar, just don’t forget to buy at least one round.

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Heading to Fenway This Weekend? The Orioles Are Coming to Beantown

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A lot is riding on the Sox series against the Baltimore Orioles this weekend. Friday marks the beginning of a 20-game, non-stop stretch for the Sox. To do well this year, they’ll have to reverse their current trend – losing at home.

If you’re lucky enough to make it to Fenway this weekend, dress for the cold, raw drizzle that’s bound to drive some fans away. Whether you’re watching the game from the bleachers or the Cask ‘n Flagon, here a bit of what Sox fans will be debating over their pints of lager.

1) Have the Orioles become “The Team to Beat”? Historically, Baltimore has been known the sit comfortably at the bottom of their division throughout the season, and a series against the Birds would bode well for Red Sox Nation. But this year could be different. Consider this: The Red Sox ended their abysmal 2011 collapse by losing to the Orioles on the last day of the season. That’s gotta leave a bad taste in your mouth. Now, in a bizzaro-world scenario, the Orioles have had a strong start in 2012, with a 14-8 record right now, and some uncharacteristically good pitching. This could be trouble for the BoSox.

2) Is Youk really injured, like REALLY injured? Our starting third baseman is currently on the 15-Disabled List with a back injury. Every Red Sox analyst is currently debating the severity of this injury, and what it might mean in the long-term.

Will Middlebrooks

Will Middlebrooks makes is Major League Debut on May 2, 2012 courtesy of BostonGlobe.com (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

3) In the meantime … Will Middlebrooks was brought up from Pawtucket on Wednesday to fill the third Base role. The 23-year old did a decent job in his major league debut. All eyes will be on him to see if he can churn out some runs, or if Wednesday was just a case of “beginner’s luck”.

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Heading to the Game This Weekend? – Our Scoop on the Celtics

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This is a big, big weekend for Celtics Fans! In the midst of a best-of-seven series against the Atlanta Hawks, they’re returning home for the next two games with a 1-1 record. They’ll need to capitalize on the home-court advantage to stay alive in the playoffs.

If you’re lucky enough to be heading to the TD Garden on Friday night or Sunday, here’s what to expect the fans to be buzzing about during ‘pre-game’ festivities.

1) Rajon Rondo needs to have a big game. He was suspended for the last game, for a foolish temper tantrum, and his teammates, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett picked up the slack. As one sports writer told Sports Radio DJ’s Toucher and Rich this week, Rondo ‘Knows He Owes His Teammates.’

2) Atlanta’s star forward Josh Smith left Game 2 with an knee sprain and might not play in Game 3. This could slow down Atlanta’s offense and give the Celtics an advantage.

Pierce Allen Garnett - Champs

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce celebrated after their 2008 NBA championship victory. (AP Photo)

3) The perpetual Celtics debate. Age v. Experience. The Celtics have been there before. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen (if he plays) are veteran players, playing on their home turf. The flip side — these guys are old. Can they keep up their momentum from Game 2, or will they just be plain tired?

There you have it, with these three talking points, you’ll be fully armed for any Celtics pregame banter on Causeway Street this weekend.

 

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Did You See the Game? – Celtics Over the Hawks in Game 2

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Here at Pink Hat Sports, we know that even the most die-hard fans have lives outside of sports. No one can see every game.

So if you missed last night’s Celtics v. Hawks game, here’s what you’ll want to know before you hit the water cooler today.

The Game: Boston Celtics v. Atlanta Hawks – Round 1, Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs

The Score: Celtics – 87, Hawks – 80

The Recap: celtics trailed most of the game, but in the 4th quarter, Paul Pierce went on a tear – scoring 13 points to lift Boston over Atlanta.

Beyond the Score: Celtics were not favored to win this one! Their star player, Rajon Rondo had to sit this one out, after being suspended for intentionally bumping a ref in Game 1. Thankfully, Rondo’s little temper tantrum did not cost the Celtics this game.

To top it off, Paul Pierce paid homage to Tim Tebow, dropping to one knee at center court.

Paul Pierce strikes “Tim Tebow” pose

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